Maamingidae, a new family of proctotrupoid wasp (Insecta : Hymenoptera) from New Zealand

Abstract

The new family Maamingidae is proposed for Maaminga, gen. nov., comprising two species, M. rangi, sp. nov. and M. marrisi, sp. nov., from New Zealand. The delicate and slender M. rangi, sp. nov. is common in forest, particularly kauri forests of the northern part of the North Island. The more robust and stocky M. marrisi, sp. nov., which is polymorphic for wing size (brachyterous and fully winged), appears to be associated with coastal scrub and forest, particularly on offshore islands, but is also found in alpine snow tussock. Maamingidae is nominally placed within the Proctotrupoidea, and is probably related to the Diapriidae and Monomachidae. However, its relationships are unclear, at least in part due to the lack of phylogenetic resolution among the proctotrupoid families and other Proctotrupomorpha sensu Rasnitsyn. The relationships of Maamingidae are briefly discussed in the light of current morphological and molecular phylogenetic hypotheses.